Clinical Track

The Clinical Track was designed to fully prepare the graduate student in the following ways:

Application of advanced knowledge in clinical settings that provide cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation as well as risk factor reduction and training specific for the treatment of chronic diseases

Leadership and management in clinical practice

Active engagement in professional literature so as to demonstrate the best practices

Participation in clinical research activities with opportunities in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition and fitness

Required Course Work

EX 401 Advanced Applied Physiology I4 CRThis course provides an in-depth overview of work physiology, including cellular respiration, ventilation, cardiovascular dynamics, and the anthropometric, histologic, and biochemical adaptive response to physical training. The processes of the gastrointestinal tract will be explored as well.

EX 403 Research Methods4 CRThis course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of research design, measurement, statistical analysis, and scientific inquiry as these concepts apply to understanding and evaluating published research. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to make informed decisions about the relevance of published research to their own practice and research.

EX 411 Professional Seminar2 CRThis course addresses professionally oriented activities associated with presentation and publication that is peer reviewed or community oriented such as presenting at conferences and administering health related programming. This course collaborates with the Life and Sports Analysis Clinic/SHU Wellness program.

EX 412 Functional Anatomy4 CRThis course provides a review of human anatomy and movements. Both computer-based simulations and the Cadaver Lab will be utilized.

EX 413 Healthcare in the U.S.1 CR This course provides an introduction to the U.S. healthcare system, orienting the student to its overall structure, functions, and processes. Strengths and weaknesses of the current healthcare environment will be discussed. The U.S. healthcare system will be compared to other health care systems around the world. Students will be encouraged to consider strategies for improving access to quality health care for all Americans.

EX 416 Applied Pharmacology for Exercise Science 2 CRApplied Pharmacology for Exercise Science is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the mechanism by which drugs alter the living cell as it relates to the physiologic manifestation of disease. Beginning with an overview of concepts such as general pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, this course will build to apply these general principles to disease states relevant to the Exercise Science Professional. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a strong understanding of drug therapeutics relevant to clinical situations and specific patient populations.

EX 521 Advanced Clinical Testing and Prescription I3 CRClinically and field-based assessment tests of neuromuscular fitness and function used prior to exercise prescription and for use in outcomes data collection are reviewed. Physical assessment tests such as functional assessments of activities of daily living, strength, power, and flexibility tests will be examined. Chronic disease-specific assessments involving analog scales and questionnaires will be practiced.

EX 522 Physical Activity & Behavioral Science3 CRUsing an ecological approach, theories and studies relative to lifestyle and behavior modification are examined. Best practices for promoting physical activity in communities will be reviewed. Changing physical activity behavior among special populations (e.g., children, older adults, minority populations) will also be examined.

EX 523 Clinical Nutrition3 CRFocus includes theories and mechanisms of obesity as well as the efficacy of dietary treatments. Nutritional challenges related to special populations (e.g., children, elderly, pregnancy) and selected nutrient deficiencies will be addressed, as well as the efficacy and safety of herbal supplements.

EX 524 Advanced Clinical Testing and Prescription II4 CRClinically and field-based assessment tests of cardiovascular fitness, pulmonary function, and metabolic or immune disorders used prior to exercise prescription and for use in outcomes data collection are reviewed. Clinical diagnostic tests such as EKG's, blood lipids, and stress tests will be examined as well as chronic disease-specific assessments including analog scales and questionnaires.

EX 560 Thesis Preparation3 CRIssues in research design and statistical analysis within the context of a proposed thesis are explored. A prospectus including a full review of literature and study design will be the end-product of the course. Receiving a grade in the course will be contingent upon submitting an IRB application.

EX 561 Thesis Completion3 CRData collection and analysis will be performed, culminating in the Results and Discussion sections of the thesis. Students choose either the Thesis option or Graduate Project option

EX 562 Graduate Project I3 CRThe graduate project includes initiation or continuation of 500 clinical hours in a clinical exercise setting and preparation for track-specific certification exams. The supporting online course specifically addresses best practice via review of research, position stands, and anecdotal clinical experiences among students and faculty during the semester.

EX 563 Graduate Project II3 CRThe continuation of the graduate project includes completion of clinical hours and continued preparation for track-specific certification exams. The supporting course provides an overview of the hospital environment and allied health professions and includes projects associated with attendance at a related professional meeting selected by the student.